[shortseller]

Just blew a tire on the highway, currently at the dealer for repairs. He wants to do an alignment on the car also for an extra $180, is this required? Car has 16K and tire wear looks perfect. But he still recommends it. Is this needed for every tire change or is he padding the bill on me?

Please advise, thanks!

[happy4nk8er]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Just blew a tire on the highway, currently at the dealer for repairs. He wants to do an alignment on the car also for an extra $180, is this required? Car has 16K and tire wear looks perfect. But he still recommends it. Is this needed for every tire change or is he padding the bill on me?

Please advise, thanks!

Not needed unless you hit something in my opinion. Sounds like padding to me.

[dan11]

If you were to put on tires of a different size then yes. If you're replacing tires of the same size then in my opinion you can forego the alignment.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

We can't tell from here if its needed.

If you see abnormal wear or the steering is pulling left or right then one is needed. BTW $180 is them bending you over, you can go to another place for $70-110 depending on your area.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by dan11

If you were to put on tires of a different size then yes. If you're replacing tires of the same size then in my opinion you can forego the alignment.

Unless you have coilovers and are adjusting spring height to compensate for different sized new tires, tire size has no effect on alignment.

Neil

[shortseller]

A big thanks guys!

Went back and we had a change of heart.

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by Jeff@topgearsolutions

We can't tell from here if its needed.

If you see abnormal wear or the steering is pulling left or right then one is needed. BTW $180 is them bending you over, you can go to another place for $70-110 depending on your area.

No pull. Hit a small metal object sticking up from the road, very minimal bump even felt. And I actually told him so but he still seemed to think it a good idea. In any event, will do it later if I feel any pulling or see any uneven wear.

[Haus_07]

Originally Posted by shortseller

No pull. Hit a small metal object sticking up from the road, very minimal bump even felt. And I actually told him so but he still seemed to think it a good idea. In any event, will do it later if I feel any pulling or see any uneven wear.

If the car pulls after the new tire, I would have the alignment at least checked. If you wait to see if there's any uneven wear, it may be to late at that point. Your running a staggered setup, right? If one tire is showing wear, you can't rotate it, so it's stuck in the same place. Even after an alignment, that tire may continue to wear the same way, and much faster than the others.

It's been my experience that once you notice uneven wear on a staggered setup car, it's almost always to late for that tire. If it drives any different at all, get it checked out, or you might be in for an alignment anyway, plus another tire!! Just my .02!!